The Panther

AUSTIN (AP)- The contest between Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton for Texas delegates appeared to be tightening, as counting from Saturday's caucuses dragged on into Sunday.

Obama led Clinton 58 percent-42 percent in results that had been reported through Sunday night, but nearly half of the delegates had yet to be counted.

Obama's campaign predicted he would win the overall delegate race in Texas because of caucus support, even though Clinton narrowly won the popular vote in primary balloting March 4.

Clinton's campaign trumpeted its caucus successes in predominantly Hispanic regions along the Texas-Mexico border, as well as in South Texas and in rural counties.

"We continue to be grateful to the enthusiastic support Hillary continues to receive throughout the Lone Star State,'' said Clinton state chairman Garry Mauro.

Obama's camp accused Clinton's of aggressively pushing to challenge and disqualify Obama delegates based on technicalities.

"Despite the Clinton campaign's widespread attempts to prevent many Texans from participating in their district convention, the voters of Texas confirmed Senator Obama's important delegate win in the Lone Star State,'' said Obama spokesman Josh Earnest.

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